Older Persons

Types of Older Persons Mental Health Concerns

Ageing can pose a number of difficulties that may cause mental health issues, including memory problems, depression or anxiety.

Common conditions treated by The Central Coast Clinic's Older Adult Mental Health Team include:

• Bipolar disorder/mania
• Depression
• Schizophrenia/other psychotic conditions
• Psychiatric complications of dementia where a secure environment is not required
• Other complex mental health presentations not customarily managed by GPs or aged care providers alone

Anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety in older people are sometimes not all that obvious as they often develop gradually.

Depression

An older person may have depression if, for more than two weeks, they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time, or has lost interest or pleasure in usual activities.

Causes of Older Persons Mental Health Concerns

Many older people may have mental health issues at some point, due to:

• Illness
• Frailty and loss of independence
• Grief and loss of a loved one
• Financial stress
• A change in living arrangements
• Increasing social isolatio

Treatment Programs

The Central Coast Clinic provides specialised treatment for older patients in need of hospital admission, as well as day programs and follow up programs to provide the skills to assist recovery.

External Resources

Alzheimer's Australia and National Dementia Helpline

National peak body and charity Australians living with dementia those involved in their care. It advocates for the needs of people living with all types of dementia, and for their families and carers, and provides support services, education and information. Access website

Carers New South Wales

Information, education, training, advocacy, counselling and other support services to help carers, whilst raising awareness about the valuable role that carers play. Access website

Department of Social Services – Ageing and Aged Care

Aims to encourage older people to live active and independent lives, working to deliver quality, affordable and accessible aged care and carer support services through subsidies and grants, industry assistance, training and regulation of the aged care sector. Access website

Department of Veterans' Affairs

Delivering government programs for war veterans, members of the Australian Defence Force, members of the Australian Federal Police and their dependants. Access website

FSG Australia

Overnight, weekend (or longer) respite for carers of people with dementia or frail with age, respite utilising a host family or in-home model to provide assistance to employed carers as well as reaching out to those living in the rural or hinterland areas of the region. Access website

My Aged Care

Australian Government website to assist with navigating the aged care system. Designed to give people more choice, more control and easier access to a full range of aged care services. Access website

Ozcare

Not-for-profit organisation providing a diverse range of quality health and human services including aged care services to over 65s. Access website